Buying and Selling Real Estate is an adventure for most, but if you are thinking this is more of a nightmare than adventure- let’s discuss expectations.

Real Estate buying and selling is a process.  A process should signify to you that this ‘may’ take some time to get from point A to point Z- with stops and starts along the way, some pleasant- some seeming more like a pothole at 75mph!  However, with proper expectations your Real Estate buying or selling experience- or both- should not be a nightmare- but rather an incredible adventure.  And the time to get to each step along the way, should be somewhat predictable and not filled with unpleasant surprises.

Today we will discuss Buying a home- buying a home takes a serious mind set and a buyers agent who can truly take the time to know what your needs are and help you pay the best possible price for the closest match of all your wants and needs.

Being of serious mind set means First off- taking the time to sit down with your loan officer to pre-qualify you at no cost.  I’m often asked about Internet Lenders and  well here is the basic response- Internet lenders- ugh- maybe there is a place for them, however you can often avoid inevitable delays by working hand in hand with a local agent to walk you through the process.

Interview your buyers agent/buyers broker.  Finding a local agent who can work with you, understands your needs, and knows the area you are working in will make the buying process much easier on everyone.  Again, internet agents- that send you out on your own, ugh- maybe there is a place for them, but we are aiming for an adventure- not a nightmare..so work local.

Once you have found that match- you need to make an offer- which is the first step toward going to contract.  Offers are easy and can be done relatively quickly by an experienced agent- from there you may enter into negotiations- it is imperative that you have truly picked the right agent early on so you can be sure the back and forth of negotiation is taken as seriously as you need it to be- and is done in a timely manner….’time is of the essence’ clauses can kill an offer/contract.  And remember step one where you got your pre-qualification letter to demonstrate your serious mindedness- this is the item that can turn a general offer into a serious offer.